Police have shot a pet zebra to death after it nearly ripped a man's arm off.
Officers rushed to the scene of the zebra attack in Ohio, US, to find the 72-year-old man bleeding badly from his right arm.
During the 911 call, victim Ronald Clifton had to repeat himself to the shocked dispatcher needing to make sure it was clear he'd been attacked by a zebra.
Clifton said: “I think he tore my arm off…send a chopper."
When asked if the animal bit him, he replied: “Oh hell yes.”
When officers arrived they found him lying on the ground.
According to the police report, a large male zebra continued to act “very hostile" even after officers arrived. It even charged the driver side door of a police car after an officer attempted to put the vehicle between the zebras and the stricken man.
By using the siren, the officer was able to get the riled-up zebra to back off so Clifton could be tended to.
A tourniquet was applied below the shoulder and the victim was helped to a nearby ambulance.
Members of Clifton's family warned officers not to turn their back on the zebra, because that's when he'd attack, and workers on the property said to put it down if necessary, one deputy reported.
In body cam footage, the zebra could then be seen making towards the one officer who was left to keep an eye on the angry beast.
Despite attempts to scare it away by yelling, when the zebra didn't back down the deputy aimed a shotgun at its head and fired.
It's believed the zebra was so aggressive because he was being protective of the five females in the herd.
Clifton was taken to hospital and treated for his injuries.
